Includes bibliographical references (pages 322-332) and index
The court of Henry VIII: "continuance in the king's favour" -- The court of Edward and Mary: "a flock of noble ladies" -- The court of Elizabeth I: "but one mistress" -- The early Stuart court: "notorious impudent prostituted strumpets" -- The court of Charles II: "nothing almost but bawdry" -- The later Stuart court: "the very ladies are split asunder" -- The early Hanoverian court: "so uncommon a seraglio" -- The later Hanoverian court: "laborious watchfulness and attendance" -- The court of Queen Victoria: "duty and affection for me" -- The court today
The queen gets all the attention, but she would not function as effectively without her ladies-in-waiting. Who were these nearly invisible women? Are they ordinary folk or the power behind the throne?